HM The Queen appoints a Lord-Lieutenant to be her personal representative in each county of the United Kingdom. Mr Michael More-Molyneux DL is currently HM Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey. He is assisted by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Bill Biddell, and currently by 36 other Deputy Lieutenants.

The Lord-Lieutenant assists the Royal Household in any matters it requires in relation to the county of Surrey. Equally, he is the chief link between the Monarch and her people in Surrey.

As Her Majesty’s representative, it is the Lord-Lieutenant’s chief duty to uphold the dignity of the Crown. In Surrey, the Lord-Lieutenant follows the example of HM The Queen by seeking to promote a good atmosphere and spirit of co-operation. He does this by the encouragement he gives to voluntary service and to benevolent organisations, and by the interest he takes in the commercial and social life of the county. The role, like that of the Monarch's, is strictly apolitical.

The principal responsibilities of the Lord-Lieutenant are to:

• arrange the programmes for Royal Visits to organisations in the county

• Arranging for the Lord-Lieutenant or one of his Deputy Lieutenants to visit your organisation as a means of acknowledging the work being done

• Following a visit by the Lord-Lieutenant, a Deputy Lieutenant or the Assistant Clerk, suggesting how the organisation might be included in the programme of a member of the Royal Family visiting Surrey

• Giving advice on how any member of the public can nominate a friend or colleague for a national honour; offering advice on the completion of the forms and supporting the honours nomination when referred back to the Lord-Lieutenant for comment

• Presiding over Citizenship Ceremonies at County Hall in Kingston to welcome new UK citizens resident in Surrey.

• Celebrating and encouraging volunteering, community service and the work of youth organisations

• Helping to promote your organisation, where appropriate, in media releases or speeches to assist with profile, recognition and fundraising

• Where deemed appropriate, and most likely in connection with a Lieutenancy visit, generating media coverage of an organisation's work

• Accepting suggestions (by early January each year) for the attendance at Royal Garden Parties of individuals deserving recognition